Minor complainant withdraws charges against Brij Bhushan, after her 2 statements against him

New Delhi: The 17-year-old female wrestler who raised allegations of sexual harassment and stalking twice against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has withdrawn her charges, The Indian Express reported.

The only minor among seven female wrestlers who protested in the capital city against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president previously made two statements against Singh—one to the police and another before a magistrate.

Now citing sources, Indian Express said that the wrestler recorded a fresh statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The statement naturally will be deemed to be evidence before the court which could mean that it is for the court to decide on pursuing the charges and trial, based on which of the statements gets precedence, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the wrestler’s father previously told the newspaper that the minor was completely disturbed as the sexual harassment by the Singh continued to haunt her.

Details in the complaint said that Singh held her tightly, squeezing her to himself, deliberately pressed on her shoulder and brushed his hands against her breasts while pretending to take a picture.

The minor recorded details of sexual harassment in a statement on May 10 before a magistrate.

Singh was subsequently booked under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 34 (common intention) that can hand a jail term of one to three years, if convicted.

Meanwhile, The Indian Express quoted senior advocate Rebecca John as saying that the ‘calculated delay in arrest in such cases puts the complainant through pressure’, adding that ‘these kinds of struggles are long and painful’.